Last week, Andy Enfield left USC for SMU. This has created a major college basketball domino effect that has sent Bronny James to the transfer portal and now has sent Eric Musselman to USC. No we all have to wonder, who will be the next Arkansas head coach? Although it is considered to be a football school, Arkansas has a storied basketball history. The Razorbacks’ job will be highly coveted especially as the SEC continues to grow into a dominant basketball brand.
Who Will Be The Next Arkansas Head Coach?
Jerome Tang
A name that has been floating around for many different jobs this offseason has been Jerome Tang. His head coaching career started strong at Kansas State when he made the Elite Eight last season. However, this season was a bit disappointing as the Wildcats failed to make the NCAA Tournament. Tang’s success has been on the recruiting trail, specifically the transfer portal. He has been able to attract talented players such as Keyontae Johnson, Markquis Nowell, and most recently Dug McDaniel. But, Arkansas has a large NIL budget and a strong fanbase, which would make it easier to acquire talent. These reasons could entice Jerome Tang to want to become the next Arkansas head coach. However, Kansas State brass just produced a lucrative extension for Tang to consider.
Will Wade
A name that has been rumored to be in almost every coaching search this offseason is Will Wade. He had a great tenure at LSU before being fired due to recruiting violations. However, his violations are no longer illegal so he is now being considered for head coaching positions. Wade’s time at McNeese State has yielded excellent results. The Cowboys went 30-4 and made the NCAA Tournament. Wade was also very successful at LSU. In 2019 he won the SEC and made it to the Sweet Sixteen. Because of his experience in the SEC, it is easy to see how Will Wade would fit as the next Arkansas head coach.
Chris Beard
Another name to watch in the Arkansas head coach search is Chris Beard from Ole Miss. Beard has had a history of success in his career. At Texas Tech, he made the Elite Eight and the National Championship in back-to-back seasons. He then left for Texas, his alma mater. In Austin, he went 29-13 before being fired due to a domestic violence allegation, which was recently dropped. He is now at Ole Miss, which he led to a 20-12 record in his first season. But, Ole Miss is too small of a program to keep Beard forever. If the Razorbacks want him, Beard would probably move to Fayetteville in a heartbeat.
Amir Abdur-Rahim
An outside-of-the-box pick to be the next Arkansas head coach is Amir Abdur-Rahim. At USF, Abdur-Rahim won the American in his first season. He beat out the likes of FAU and Memphis for the title. He also has coaching experience in the SEC as an assistant at Georgia and Texas A&M. Although he seems to be a promising coaching candidate, he would be a bit of a risk for the Razorbacks. They are more likely to go with an established name over one that has the potential to be good.
